Mountain cabin vacation 2011 Day 1

This post's pictures are especially for Jeffrey.. if the rest of you get bored, oh well. =)

We were so glad that Daddy and Jason were able to get off of work for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for us to go on vacation in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, at a cabin in Lake George. We vacationed there last year as well, except two weeks earlier than this year, when more of the aspens still had their leaves. Despite "fall" already happening for the most part, we really enjoyed the rest that the quiet and scenery provided for us all.







The Phillips-Brown cabin...




We arrived at lunch time on Wednesday, after Jason (student driver), Daddy, and Beth had all driven. We came down via mountain roads, which were more "fun" than 1-25.


This picture of Jason was actually taken Friday.


After lunch we decided to go driving and find some place to hike. Here's Mother all ready to go... she ended up getting hot in her sweater and hat, because the weather was so nice and she has hot-flashes.


We were looking for a trail that Dad, Jas, and Em had hiked at last year, but after a long unsuccessful search for that, explored and "hiked" somewhere else... Lake George Cemetery. This cemetery was very interesting in that the burial sites were scattered all over the rolling ground, AND up a hill, seemingly without rhyme or reason. Death dates ranged from the 1800s to 2011. Some of the grave sites were surrounded by fencing or wooden frames, while some were simply piles of rocks (poor people buried there).



After we got done looking at a lot of the tombstones and figuring out how old people were when they married (if recorded) or died, and musing about what kind of people they would have been, we decided to hike up the hill behind the graveyard.

Hiking


Mother and Daddy opted to sit and wait for us to finish the climb to the top.



And learn some things about Jeff's camera... =)


Here's Em.. we had to rest before getting all the way to the top.


Beth, after her heart stopped racing.


Jason...


Not posing this time, just enjoying the view.


Which was this:


Coming most of the way down to Mother and Daddy again we found some nice rocks to sit on.. that was until Dad told us there was a cave to look at!


This picture kind of shows how deep it was.


Right beside the cave.


Going back down to the van--notice the headstones in the background?


Next we got our curiosity satisfied about someplace else we had passed on the drive from the cabin--the Lake George Community Park (and Arena). Knowing it to be public property, we walked around, then



played in the park, of course! (This is "scarier" than it looks, at least for "cats".)


You look like a 7, Jas!


The 3 "kids":



Meanwhile Daddy and Mother enjoyed the glider swing, and bravely watched us.


Happy 28th Anniversary, Daddy and Mother!! (Saturday 22nd)




Finally tired from the hiking and playing, we were ready to go back to the cabin... ("just one more" picture first, though!)



...and consume some energy.


This picture ::smiling faces:: was BEFORE the smoke got in our eyes, I'm guessing!






That's smoke from the fire...


And after supper, Dutch Blitz

2011 Quilt Show

{Please feel free to click on any picture in this post to enlarge and see the details of the quilts!!!}
Our JHS Quilt/Craft/Demo Show was last Saturday. It was one day only this year, so we helped set up on Friday evening, and took everything down on Saturday evening.
There were a record number of quilts displayed this year, 197, with 52 of them made by our featured quilter, Doris Popejoy. It was a joy for me to interview her for the paper, and Beth wrote up a very nice article about her. She has made around 100 quilts, and inspired her daughters and granddaughter to quilt also! Her daughters had beautiful quilts in the show too. This is Doris standing by her 80th birthday quilt (on the left). Her friends in the quilting club made the blocks and she put them together. The fabrics used in this quilt are all 1930s reproduction fabrics.

The following are the front row of Doris's quilts. Her quilts were on three rows. I loved all of them.




This one is one of my favorites of hers.

More of her beautiful quilts.

We had to get creative to fit all the quilts in this year. We added a couple more complete rows, but also strung a second line for Doris's smaller wall hangings.

This one was made by Doris's daughter, Laura Morrison, and she won the Arias Floral Business Choice. This was paper pieced, and after quilting, many tiny "gems" were added.

Patricia Lamfers won 1st place in the viewer's choice with her "Colorado Gold" quilt. It was also chosen as Hays Market Business Choice. The machine embroidery is truly wonderful!

Daisy Bolter made "Irish Sam in the Fields" and won 2nd place in the viewer's choice. I told her my quilt was honored to hang beside her winning quilt. (You can see my quilt at the right edge of the picture.) The quilting on this one was so special and I loved the mint green and browns.

This closer view shows the quilting better.

This is called "Down on the Farm" and was the 3rd place viewer's choice. It was made by Minerva Lee. The details on it are very amazing!

"Staci's Lighthouses" by Patricia Lamfers was ACE Hardware's Business Choice.

These are some others that our family loved. I voted for this tulip quilt. I loved the colors.

The flowers were so pretty in this one.

Our very favorites are our own, even though they are not fancy or intricate. They are ours! Nine Patch Plaid, which I gave Jason for graduation.

Five Stripes which graces Rowen's and my bed.

My girls "manned" the bake sale table from 9-11 and 3-5. They are old hands at it. This year was my first time to work the bake sale.

We have hundreds more pictures, but won't post them all here! There was also a gym full of vendors selling their crafts, and a hallway full of crafters demonstrating their skills. It was a fun and successful day.

News about Janet

Last Thursday, I had a check up with the oncologist and signed up for the clinical drug trial. Dr. Stroh thinks I have done extremely well. I know it is all the Lord's help and answers to many people's prayers.

Yesterday I had my chemo port removed. It was in the office of my surgeon. I didn't get to watch, because the blue sterile drape covered my head! It didn't really hurt, just pressure part of the time, and "bee sting" feelings for the stitching back up. I made the mistake of saying "yes" to the doctor's thoughtful suggestion of a waterproof bandage, so that I could have a shower last night. Too late I realized it was the clear bandage I have developed an allergy to throughout the course of this year's procedures! By evening, I was quite red where the sterile drape (with the hole for the procedure) had been adhered for the 15 minutes and where the clear bandage was. Immediately after the shower, I removed the bandage and put a large bandaid on. Normal bandaids don't affect me like the fancy hospital ones do. Vitamin E cream helped a lot with the burning of the allergic reaction. The skin is missing in one spot, but the redness is less today.

I have 6 steri strips on top of the stitches. The steri strips will fall off by themselves in the next week or so. The stitches are supposed to dissolve. A resident shadowing my surgeon did all the sewing.

I am so grateful to have the port out. It was a wonderful thing to have in my body as long as I needed it. I am glad to not need it anymore!

Next week I will see the plastic surgeon one last time and the following day, I will have a fasting blood sugar test, a chest xray, and get to fill out a questionnaire to start the clinical trial of Metformin (or a placebo, if that is the group I fall into). The tamoxifen, (anti-estrogen drug), has been ordered and has not yet arrived, but I'll be taking it daily.

The excellent news today is that I believe I can taste foods accurately now! It is wonderful when food tastes like it is supposed to taste, rather than the taste of a tin can. I am very thankful for that.

Though I still have bruising on three of my fingernails, only one fingernail is loose more than half way down. I think I will only lose that one, if it comes off.

My hair is growing already! Some are just emerging, but there are some up to 3/4 inch long and every length in between. So far, no curls... I have very sparse eyebrows.

I am feeling stronger this week. The weakness of arms and legs was my biggest complaint since the final chemo. Something about "cumulative effect," I suppose.

God has blessed me so much by getting me through the cancer journey. I want to use the time He gives me to be a blessing to others, to give Him praise and honor, and to accomplish what He has planned for the rest of my life. Thank you each one for the prayers you have prayed for me.

Just one miracle this week

Psalm 33:18 & 20, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him... He is our Help and our Shield." Psalm 34:1, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

This was written on Saturday October 8th, with corrections Thursday, October 13th. It happened Friday, October 7th. (This is written by Beth, for those who see Mother's blog notes on facebook.)

I say "just one miracle", because I'm sure the Lord has given us many this week, but this one was "special".

What didn't happen is the miracle. Today my sister Emily and I are not dead. In fact we aren't injured. Our windshield didn't even get busted out, as we expected it to. Aren't you glad? I am!

Yesterday was a big busy day. Our dear friends, the Hinkles, just lost their mother/grandmother to cancer last Saturday, and the funeral was yesterday (Friday). I hate to say a funeral was nice, but that one was really good, honoring to the Lord and Mary Anna. After the service some went to the graveyard for the service there. Our family did because of Jason and Daddy being pall-bearers, but Jason and we girls had to leave right after he was done helping because he had to get to work. We three came home, ate (really quickly), then we dropped Jas off at work and we headed to the BRIGHT Lights meeting, for which we were already late. (It was, fortunately, an excused tardy. =) )

We drove out of town by going north on CR 17 and were past one of the railroads, less than a mile south of CR 54. There was a truck heading toward us, (to my memory and description to Dad, a stake-side truck) which was carrying building supplies. As it passed us, a large board (Dad and I are guessing a concrete form) came out of the back of the truck and was airborne, and in the path of our car. We surely wondered if it would fly up and crash through the windshield, or hurt our car otherwise. I pressed on the brakes (Emily remembers) but there was nothing else I could do to avoid collision: no shoulder to pull into, no way to change to the opposing one-way lane. Pulling into the ditch of weeds wasn't an option, and no, I sure didn't think to pray in that split second--it all happened so quickly. As the car and board came closer together, the board went around us (miraculously).

I thought everything was fine, although I was shaken, but Em noticed that the right rear-view mirror was gone from its frame. Not knowing whether I should go look for the mirror in the ditch, I pulled over next chance I got (a farm driveway) and called Mother and Daddy (who were at the funeral lunch) while Emily inspected the exterior for other damage (Dad later noticed that the board scraped along the right front fender before catching on the mirror). I was shaking as I told M/D what happened, but assured them that everything was okay. By the time I was done and Dad was comforting me and thanking God for His protection, I was crying. Dad said we should go on to Bible study, because the mirror probably broke and we were much too dressed up to look on the side of the road for it. I dried my tears and told Emily "Let's sing to feel better" (calmer). We got to Bible study safely in time for most of the lesson.

There are many times while driving that the Lord has mercifully spared me from harm that I deserved because of errant driving, but yesterday He put His shield of protection around the car, when I didn't cause the problem and couldn't fix the situation.

When Daddy and Mother got home from shopping (post-funeral), Dad and I drove up to where the accident DIDN'T happen, to look for the board of mirror. We found neither, walking along the road for ~a mile, searching. The construction truck must have stopped and gotten their board. We did find an onion in good condition! Dad has since ordered a replacement mirror.


Reflections:

1. We were sharing our story with a few people after it happened, and got different responses.

Our babysitting girl said it right, "God blessed you!" That's exactly right, it was His shielding, His hand on us.

Our aunt said, "Probably an angel was sitting on the hood of your car and pushed the board around the side!" (This would be like Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.")

After hearing the story another person (who had seen Dad and me in our mirror-search and asked "why?") remarked "Thank your lucky stars!" We HAD to say, "NO!! Thank the LORD!!" We give Him all glory! We thought about why someone would say what he did, and we think that it is because people know that it was greater-than-human power that would give protection, but they are unwilling to acknowledge God as the Creator, Giver, and Preserver of life that HE IS and do not have the personal knowledge of His work in their lives. (Psalm 34:8, "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!")

2. When we were walking (both north and south on the east side of the road, by the northbound lane) I thought about something: it was more comfortable walking north beside the northbound lane than it was when walking south beside it. Walking north I was trying to be careful, but was walking on, or even a hair west of the white line instead of through the weeds; but walking south I realized what danger was in front of me (all those approaching cars) and was subconsciously willing to risk pricklies in my socks by walking through the weeds, rather than walk west of the white line! I thought about how if people are walking in the ways of the world (north by a northbound lane), it is "easy", and they don't realize the true danger they're in. On the other hand, if people are walking with Jesus Christ, following the Bible, going His way, against the flow of traffic and what the world wants, they are enabled by the Holy Spirit to be on their guard about the dangers surrounding. Sometimes this protection/watchfulness involves a lot of careful thought, self-sacrifice, and yes, opposition (weeds that are prickly).

New Picture of my Fingernails

I laid my hands on the scanner tonight. This is what my fingernails are doing. All the bruised areas are sore. So far they are not falling off, just hurting! My toenails have some of the bruising too, but they don't complain as much; probably because I don't use them as much!

Book Review: The Scroll by Grant Jeffrey and Alton Gansky

In The Scroll, Dr. David Chambers is the leading archeologist on a mission in Israel to try to find treasures hidden for thousands of years. The story is set in 2013, so that made it especially interesting to think of what could happen in Israel in the next couple of years. David is a person who has lost his faith in God. A lot of the interest I had in the story was to find out if he regained his faith. Because of the tensions between team members, the unrest inherent in the Middle East, and the spiritual conflict in David’s own heart, constant action and surprising twists occurred.

Much information about Biblical truth is given as part of the story. God’s past dealings with His people Israel and promises for their future are featured. I was challenged to consider just what I believe will happen as the end times wind down. I found myself comparing articles in the newspaper with what I had just read about Israel in the book!

I chose to read this book because of enjoying reading Alton Gansky’s Distant Memory many years ago. Between Gansky and Grant Jeffrey’s writing, this book is cohesive, informative, scary, exciting, and captivating. I recommend it for serious readers interested in Biblical archeology, Biblical accuracy, End Times, Israel, mystery, intrigue, and danger. There is a little romance in there too, but it is not the major theme. God’s patient faithfulness to call people to Himself is a topic that appeals to me.

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Couple of Blessings

We just wanted to take the opportunity (our blog) to share a couple of blessings we received from the Lord today, through two different ladies.

1) Plums for Mother. The woman who is learning Dad's work has a plum tree and shared some plums with our family last week. They were VERY yummy, but especially so to Mother. Her taste is very adversely affected with the treatments she's been having, so when something is good, we try to capitalize on that - like having SunnyD available for her to drink! Well, Dad told this lady that the plums were DELICIOUS to Mother, and she gave her some more today. We are SO thankful!!!

2) A homeschool friend picked and gave ~5 or 6 gallons of green beans to us today. We always try to grow green beans in our garden, but have had very small crops for a couple of years. We were so glad for the gift of more to can (or "jar" rather =) ).

Beth's 18th birthday September 26, 2011

When I think about our daughter, Beth, the word "faithful" comes to mind immediately. Since she was 10 1/2 years old, she has published a monthly newsletter called "God's Girls' Newsletter." When she started it, this is how big she was:

We never would have thought that at age 18, she would still be doing it. She started out typing it in Word, and has since then learned two different versions of Publisher. She has written her own articles, edited articles sent in by the members, designed layouts, mailed and emailed the newsletters faithfully month by month. "I have more understanding than all my teachers..." Ps. 119:99 is definitely true about all my children and their computer skills.

This May, Beth graduated from our homeschool and said she wanted to stay at home and learn more homemaking skills. With this being the year of my cancer journey, she has been invaluable in so many ways: driving me to appointments, doing a lot of the meal preparations and cleanups, cleaning house, keeping laundry going, besides doing her babysitting job and cleaning the Chamber of Commerce every week. She has done some canning, has a quilt in progress (that she designed by herself using Photoshop), and has been one of the main gardeners this summer. I cannot tell you what a huge blessing she is in our home!

Every day she performs whatever needs to be done in our home without complaining or resenting having to do it. She has been active in a girls' Bible study all summer, being a mentor to younger girls. She faithfully helps with the children's ministry in Federal Heights each Sunday, encourages her pen pals by writing interesting letters, and is diligent in personal Bible study and prayers for many on her prayer list.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful, loving daughter! We are praying God will bless her life for the faithfulness and unselfish service she is showing.

Happy 18th birthday, Beth!